subject: Taking A Closer Look At Blood Sugar Levels [print this page] One of the seeming hassles that diabetes brings about is the need to regularly check your blood sugar level. After all, it is the only information that you need in order to know whether you need to take your medicines or not. But what is exactly significant about blood sugar level?
If you remember your biology classes, glucose is the energy that cells need in order to function well. It enters your body via the carbohydrates found in the food you eat and travels through your body with the help of the blood stream. A high level of glucose in the system causes the Islets of Langerhans, which can be found in your pancreas, to produce insulin. It is this insulin that makes it possible for the different cells to absorb glucose from the blood stream. Insulin is also responsible for breaking down glucose into glycogen which is then stored in liver and muscle cells.
In a person with diabetes, insulin production is not enough to process or breakdown the glucose in the blood stream. This leads to the glucose continuously circulating in the blood stream without getting absorbed by the cells. The cells, in turn, lose the needed energy in order to function properly. This could further lead to either hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
One of the ways by which a diabetic person can help ensure that the blood sugar level is within normal range is with the use of blood glucose meters such as the Ascensia Contour Glucose Meter. This glucometer takes after the Ascensia Elite but makes use of a lesser amount of blood. It is also known for quick results which makes it a favorite among parents with diabetic children.
Some of the key features of the Ascensia Contour Glucose Meter include the improved capillary action of the test strips, 480 memories which you can use to store blood sugar readings, and the ability to display the results in mg/dL or mmol/dL depending on the settings of the country you are in.
The Ascensia Contour comes with Ascensia Contour blood glucose test strips, a bottle of test solution, a lancing device, and a number of lancets which you can use. A guidebook also comes with the package although there a re a number of online sites that can help you find your way around the system.
